"Chris is going to be out," Del Negro told reporters. "Hopefully we get him back soon, but other guys have got to step up."

Paul sat out the Clippers' three-game trip to Memphis, Houston and Minnesota after being injured Jan. 12 in a loss to the Orlando Magic when he bumped knees with J.J. Redick.

He came back to play Saturday against the Washington Wizards but then aggravated the injury Monday against the Golden State Warriors, hobbling throughout the game, according to the Los Angeles Daily News.

Del Negro said Paul had an exam before Tuesday's game against the Oklahoma City Thunder that "came back good."

The Clippers didn't practice Wednesday, but Paul was scheduled to be evaluated again before the team left for Phoenix.

Further tests could be scheduled.

Paul has turned down interview requests this week.

"He'll probably get some X-rays and things, just to double-check some things," Del Negro said, according to the Daily News. "He's just sore. It wasn't made worse (Monday). It's a pain-tolerance thing. It's a bone bruise on your kneecap. You have to be able to run and move and cut and jump and do things. It's going to be sore for a while.

"He's got to work through it. We've got to get him some therapy. When he's ready, he'll be ready."

Eric Bledsoe, who started in road victories last week over the Grizzlies, Rockets and Timberwolves, started at the point Tuesday and likely will Thursday and Saturday. Del Negro said he also would use Jamal Crawford and Grant Hill, among others, to initiate the offense.